08/24/2026
Welcome to the 2026–2027 School Year!
Hello Whitworth Families!
Welcome to another exciting school year at Whitworth Elementary! I am honored to begin my 8th year as principal and my 12th year as part of the Whitworth family. Each year brings new opportunities to grow, learn, and strengthen the partnerships that make our school such a special place.
Our mission remains the same: At Whitworth we help individuals work toward reaching their highest potential.
That mission can only be accomplished when students, families, and staff work together. Thank you for trusting us with your child each day. We look forward to partnering with you throughout the year.
Orientation First Day (Required Attendance Day)
Tuesday, September 8th
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Please enter through the gray double doors on the brick wall near the bus lane.
Orientation Day is a wonderful opportunity for students and families to:
Meet your student's teacher
Explore the classroom
Drop off school supplies
Learn more about Whitworth
Confirm transportation
Complete beginning-of-the-year tasks
update contact info, check in medications, photo opportunities, etc.
Orientation Day is a required attendance day and helps us begin building strong relationships with our students and families. Most visits take about an hour. We can't wait to see you on September 8!
First Day of Class
Wednesday, September 9th
Our school day begins promptly at 8:10 a.m.
Families may use parking spots, front entry, or the walkway for first day pictures and goodbyes.
Students should enter through the gray double doors on the brick wall near the bus lane.
Parents are not permitted to walk students to class as all students will go out to the playground.
School Hours
7:40 a.m. – Doors open and breakfast begins (Students should not arrive or be dropped off before 7:40 a.m., as supervision is not available)
8:10 a.m. – School begins
2:25 p.m. – Dismissal
Arrival Procedures
Student safety is our top priority, and we appreciate your help in making arrival smooth and safe each morning.
Students should not arrive on campus before 7:40 a.m.
Adult supervision begins at 7:40 a.m., when our doors open for breakfast and students may enter the building.
Prior to 7:35 a.m., all vehicles dropping off students should line up on Ash Street, beginning at the large white stop line. Please do not enter the parking lot during this time, as staff members need access to the lot to prepare for the school day.
School staff will move the cone or signal vehicles to enter the parking lot shortly before 7:40 a.m. Once directed, please continue through the drop-off lane, have students exit promptly, and keep traffic moving safely and efficiently.
Vehicles arriving after 7:40 a.m. may enter the parking lot from either Miller Avenue or Ash Street to access the student drop-off lane.
All students enter through the gray double doors on the brick wall near the bus lane.
Students arriving after 8:10am should enter through the main entrance to be welcomed by our office staff, offered breakfast, and given a pass to class.
Thank you for helping us provide a safe and organized start to every school day.
Dismissal Procedures
To help ensure a safe and efficient dismissal each afternoon, we ask families to follow the procedures below.
ONLY school buses use the main parking lot entrance on Miller Avenue.
All 4th grade students being picked up by vehicle will be dismissed from the gym parking lot. Please line up along the Miller Avenue sidewalk, enter the parking lot when traffic moves forward, follow the established flow of traffic through the pickup area, and exit using Miller Avenue. Please DO NOT drive around the line of vehicles on Miller Avenue to enter the parking lot and park. Using the pickup line helps keep traffic organized and, most importantly, keeps our students safe.
All 5th grade students being picked up by vehicle will be dismissed to Ash Street. Teachers will walk their classes outside and supervise students until they are picked up.
Families picking up both a 4th and 5th grade student should use the back gym parking lot for pickup.
Whenever possible, please remain in the pickup line on Ash Street. This keeps traffic moving and provides the safest environment for students and families.
After picking up your student, please continue to the Miller Avenue exit or turn left onto LaCreole Drive to help maintain a steady flow of traffic.
If you pass the turn to LaCreole Drive, please continue and enter the parking lot as space allows. Exit the lot using Miller Avenue rather than re-entering the Ash Street pickup line.
Please refrain from making U-turns on Ash Street. U-turns create unnecessary safety risks for students, staff, and other vehicles during dismissal.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation. By following these procedures, we can help ensure every student gets home safely while keeping traffic moving as efficiently as possible.
Free Breakfast & Lunch
Once again this year, breakfast and lunch are available free of charge for every student.
Students are encouraged to start their day with breakfast in our cafeteria before school.
Students who need a little extra to eat at breakfast or lunch are encouraged to visit our "No Thank You" area, where they can choose from available whole fruit and other unopened items from the school meal program. For food safety reasons, only food provided by the school may be placed in the "No Thank You" area.
Food brought from home cannot be shared.
Lunch Times
4th Grade: 11:05–11:45 a.m.
5th Grade: 12:05–12:45 p.m.
Parents and guardians are always welcome to join for lunch in the MPR after signing in at the Main Office.
ALL IN...Still Going Strong!
Since introducing our ALL IN theme in 2022, it has become part of who we are at Whitworth. Being ALL IN means giving your best effort, supporting one another, and making each day count.
For our students, being ALL IN means:
Taking care of yourself by getting enough sleep, eating breakfast, lunch, and snacks, and being ready to learn.
Taking responsibility for your choices and understanding how your actions affect yourself and others.
Over the past several years, we've also taught our school-wide HOWL expectations:
Have Respect
Own Responsibility
Work Together
Let's Be Safe
HOWL has helped shape the positive culture we have built together, and those expectations are not going away. Instead, this year we are simplifying our message so it's even easier for students to remember and apply every day. Our new Big Three bring together the best of ALL IN and HOWL into three clear expectations that students can use wherever they are—in the classroom, at recess, on the bus, at home, and in the community.
We know that students sometimes face challenges outside of school that are beyond their control. At Whitworth, we believe that almost every student does well when they can. Our commitment is to provide a safe, supportive environment where students' basic needs are met, trusted adults are available, and every child has the opportunity to be successful.
The ALL IN Three
This year we will continue to be ALL IN while focusing on three simple expectations that guide everything we do:
Be a Learner and Let Others Learn
Come ready to learn, give your best effort, and help others have the opportunity to learn without distractions. This brings together the HOWL expectations of Own Responsibility and Work Together.
Be Safe
Make choices that keep yourself and those around you physically and emotionally safe. This continues our HOWL expectation of Let's Be Safe.
Be a Good Human
Treat others with kindness, respect, honesty, empathy, and compassion. This reflects our HOWL expectation to Have Respect and reminds us that how we treat others matters.
These three expectations are simple enough for students to remember while capturing everything we've valued through both ALL IN and HOWL. They will serve as the foundation for our conversations, celebrations, and support of students throughout the school year.
Cell Phones & Personal Devices
We will continue to follow the Governor’s executive order requiring Oregon schools to prohibit student cell phone and personal electronic device use from **bell to bell **.
At Whitworth, this aligns with our existing expectations.
Cell phones should be silenced and stored in a backpack or bag inside the student's locker during the school day.
Smart watches should also be silenced and not used during the school day.
Phones may not be carried in pockets or kept on a student's person once the school day begins.
Students who prefer may store their devices in the school office during the day for safekeeping.
Safety at Whitworth
Providing a safe learning environment continues to be one of our highest priorities. Some of the many safety features in place include:
Digital classroom clocks with integrated intercom and phone systems
Security cameras throughout the interior and exterior of the building
Secure exterior doors requiring a key or staff badge for entry
A monitored front entrance with camera, intercom, and secure vestibule
Digital message display boards throughout hallways and common areas
For the safety and privacy of all students, parents, guardians, and visitors are not permitted on the playground during the school day.
Teacher Assignments
Teacher letters and classroom assignments will be shared through ParentSquare and sent to families by Monday, August 31st at 3:30 p.m. If you do not receive a teacher letter, please reach out to our office staff by phone a 503-623-8351 or email [email protected]
If you have not activated your ParentSquare account yet, don't worry! You'll still receive an email with access to your child's teacher information and can set up your account at any time.
New Staff
Lauren Harris - Special Education Teacher
Heather Kary - 4th Grade Teacher
Madison Mil - 4th Grade Teacher
Classroom Placements
Creating balanced classrooms is one of the most important and challenging tasks we complete each summer. We carefully consider academic needs, student relationships, support services, and many other factors when building class lists. Because enrollment, staffing, and student needs can change, classroom placements may occasionally need to be adjusted during the first week or two of school. If this becomes necessary, we will communicate directly with the affected families.
Office Information
Office Hours (Beginning August 31st)
Monday–Thursday: 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Friday 7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Phone: 503-623-8351
Email:[email protected]
Looking Ahead
We are incredibly excited to welcome our students back into the building and begin another year of learning, growth, friendships, and memorable experiences. Thank you for being a teammate with us and for being an important part of the Whitworth community. Together, we'll continue to make Whitworth a place where students feel safe, supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their highest potential.
We can't wait to see everyone soon!
Go ALL IN Wolves!
Darrick Bruns
Principal, Whitworth Elementary
ALL IN – Be a Learner and Let Others Learn • Be Safe • Be a Good Human
Important Info to Know
🏫 Office Information
Office Hours (Beginning August 31): Mon–Thur, 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. and Fri, 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Phone: 503-623-8351
Email: [email protected]
🚴🏻♂️ Arrival 🛹 🛴🚶🏻♀️🚗
Students should not arrive before 7:40 a.m. as supervision begins at that time.
Breakfast begins at 7:40 a.m.
All students enter through the gray double doors on the brick wall near the bus lane.
After 7:40 a.m., families may use both Miller Avenue and Ash Street to access the drop-off lane.
🚌 Dismissal
Buses ONLY use the main entrance on Miller Avenue.
4th Grade Pickup: Back gym parking lot off Miller Avenue.
5th Grade Pickup: Ash Street.
Families picking up both a 4th and 5th grader should use the back gym parking lot.
🍎 Lunch
4th Grade: 11:05–11:45 a.m. and 5th Grade: 12:05–12:45 p.m.
Parents and guardians are welcome to join their student for lunch in the MPR.
🛝 Recess
For the safety and privacy of all students, parents, guardians, and visitors are not permitted on the playground during recess.
📱 Cell Phones & Personal Devices
Whitworth's expectations align with Oregon's bell-to-bell device requirements.
Phones must be silenced and stored in backpacks/lockers during the school day.
Smart watches should be silenced and not used during the school day.
Students may choose to store devices in the office for safekeeping.
🛡️ Safety
Whitworth continues to prioritize student safety with:
Secure exterior doors with controlled access
Security cameras inside and outside the building
Classroom phones, intercoms, and digital clocks
A secure front entrance with camera, intercom, and safety vestibule
Digital message boards throughout the building
